Jamaica: Parent murdered at school gate drop off leaves students traumatized

Parents collected their children early at Lannaman’s Preparatory School in St Andrew as the school suspended classes for the day after a parent was killed after dropping off his child yesterday morning.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The killing of a parent in front of Lannaman’s Preparatory School in St Andrew yesterday has left a school community in shock.

Dead is 47-year-old businessman Ainsley Folkes, who was shot multiple times in his car at the school gate on Terrence Avenue, even while other parents were dropping off their children.

Police reports are that at around 7:40 a.m., Folkes had just dropped off his child. Upon returning to his motor vehicle, he was approached by a man, with whom he had a short conversation, following which he was shot several times. The gunman escaped, and Folkes was assisted to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Gleaner sources yesterday revealed that the murder had been caught on a camera nearby. However, Superintendent of Police Dahlia Garrick, who is in charge of the Corporate Communications Unit, said, “Video footage is something I cannot speak to at this time.”

Sources also pointed to the possibility of a contract killing.

Arthur Taylor, guidance counsellor at the institution, told The Gleaner that the sound of gunshots and the sight of the perpetrator fleeing the scene were very frightening for the young students.

“Some of the children were a bit anxious and fearful. We have been counselling them because the memories will come back, especially because they are young children. Some of them still have the image of the man running with the gun,” he said.

The killing not only led to the closure of the school for the day, it also forced the postponement of a Henriques Cup knockout game between Lannaman’s and Ardenne Preparatory.

Taylor said that the footballers, though traumatised, will rise again.

“The match was postponed, but our boys will always rise because they are rough. They will push through. The coaches are very good, so we have no doubt they will perform,” he said.